Costa Classica review - Eastern Med 7 days

[hkto]

It was our (2 adults and 13 year old) first time on cruise; it was pretty much what I expected; good service on ship and somewhat inadequate time on shore.

 

The cruise was for 7 days visiting Ancona (another passenger pick up port), Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, Corfu & Dubrovnik. This cruise was leaving from Trieste not Venice but I believe in 2009 the same itinerary will operate from Venice on Costa Victoria.

 

Anyway we arrived in Venice in the morning; took airport bus to Venezia Mestre rail station (3 Euros) and then train (2 hr ride to Trieste, 8 Euros) where our cruise was suppose to start. Train got stuck near Trieste (for almost 1 hr) and I was worried that we wouldn't make it on time. But everything worked out ok and we arrived in Trieste rail station around 3 pm & boarded the cruse ship Costa Classica in time. Cruise terminal is about 15-20 min walk from train station or 2 min cab ride.

 

Embarkation procedure was very efficient as long everyone had Costa document booklet that contained luggage tags, cruise ticket, etc. Luggage was checked in, then passport control & security check and finally we boarded the ship. This is a midsize ship (1600 pax); about 15 years old (but refurbished several years ago) with very large cabins (which was a big plus for 3 people). Interior is pretty with sculptures & art work.

 

Room was good & adequate size to 3 people. Third bed can be hidden in closet for the day if extra space is needed. Bathroom was large; water temperature and pressure adequate. Housekeeping cleaned rooms twice a day (usually when people were in port or at dinner). Next day schedule and program was provided in the client's language.

 

Food was very good both at dinner and in buffet restaurant. Breakfast was from 7 to 10; lunch - 12 to 2:30 and dinner at preassigned sitting (7 or 9 pm). Typically dinner included 5 courses with several choices each. Everything is included except bar changes (which were reasonable; we paid about 100 Euros for 4 bottles of wine, 7 bottled waters & 25 coffees). Other packages were also offered. There is automatic 15% markup on bar bills.

 

Entertainment was ok but no lavish Vegas style shows. There is live music at two locations every evening plus casino and game room. My son was going to teen club which according to him was good.

 

Time on shore is limited to 3-4 hrs max. There is no time to take any local tours beyond ports of call (except taking ship excursions). Greek island ports of call are filled with expensive souvenir & jewelery stores. Port of call disembarkation procedures are efficient; you get a number and proceed to a tender boat when called. Typically in was possible to disembark in 30 min from docking. Charter buses were offered in Mykonos & Corfu for 5 Euros round trip. In Santorini one can walk to town (15-20 min) or take cable car for 4 Euros. The cheap version involves sharing the road full of donkeys (and their digested byproduct) which is hard to avoid. Also donkey can be hired to go up but these beasts are stubborn and move when they feel like.

 

Mykonos is pretty especially at sundown. It is possible to get to Athens from Pireus (where ship docks) on the subway; this about 20 min to train plus 25 min to center of Athens (exit at Monastiraki station if visiting Acropolis). Otherwise taxi is about 10-12 Euro to center. Dubrovnik is a good looking walled city but full of tourists & everything was very expensive. Generally Santorini was the most expensive island and Corfu - the least.

 

I would give Costa A+ for service, food & value. Clientèle was 80% Italians from all walks of life (but mostly middle class with kids) and the rest - French, German, Spanish with small number of Americans, Canadians & British. I can be contacted at harry_k@hotmail.com for any specific questions.

[Carlz]

Thankyou for your review!

 

I have booked a cruise for next June on the classica touring through Asia and I'm really beginning to look forward to it!

 

Carlz